KENT CTA FIRE KINGS WEATHER THE STORM KENT CTA FIRE KINGS 54 COVENTRY CITY GEARBOXES STORM 39 (National League)
Last night was expected to be a nail biter of a meeting at Central Park after the Storm winning at Brandon 59-33 in mid-June. But the CTA Fire Kings weathered all the Coventry ‘Storm' could muster and secured their second home League win 54-39, with a stunning all round team performance led by skipper Steve Boxall's 15 point unbeaten maximum.
With five shared heats the Kings knocked in seven heat advantages although Benji Compton suffered in his first two rides where his bike failed to start which was tracked down to coil and plug lead problems but once sorted out he hit back with two fine wins.
Jack Kingston hit the safety fence yards from the finishing line in heat two after leading by almost half a lap, thankfully he was up quickly and able to carry on in the meeting gaining a paid win in heat 4 behind Ben Morley who again produced a solid performance and return and a great ride to hold off James Sarjeant in heat 7.
David Mason posting a sold 7 points steadied the team but the shining light for the Kings was the vastly improved young Devonian Connor Coles 8+2. His best performance yet for the Kings which included a heat 8 race win much to the delight of the Kings fans and two 5-1's with his skipper in heat 6 and heat 10
James Sarjeant twice demolished the tapes early on and failed to stay still at the tapes. Although team-mate Joe Jacobs 18 points included a six point tactical ride in heat 11 with Oliver Greenwood taking the following heat the Storm briefly threatened to get back into the meeting. Skipper Boxall swooped past Jacobs in heat 13 which guaranteed a second successive home league win for the improving CTA Fire Kings.
Compton and Adam Kirby combined for a 5-1 in the awarded penultimate heat 14. Greenwood clipped Kirby who fell with referee Dan Holt awarding the race in the Kings favour while Boxall duly completed a fine maximum by again defeating Jacobs in the final heat to give the Kings a 54-39 victory.
NEXT UP Tomorrow all roads lead to the Norfolk Arena for the National League clash against King's Lynn Young Stars at 7.30pm who boast one of the hottest talents in British Speedway, Robert Lambert who rode his first meetings on an assessed 3.00 average.
After reaching the required fixtures for an average to be calculated Lambert heads the Young Stars as their new number one on a very impressive 10.07 figure. With the Young Stars winning 40-49 at Central Park in early June prior to Lambert riding for them, the clashes with Steve Boxall are sure to have supporters on their toes around the Saddlebow Road circuit.
Jake Knight has also returned to the sport filling the number 3 race bib for the Young Stars who have a really solid look about them. Shane Hazelden drops to reserve to partner Shane Waldron. Dependable points from Lewis Kerr, Lewis Rose and Darren Mallett make this year's Young Stars emerge as dark horses for not only the play offs but maybe even the League Title.
Teams for Wednesday:
KING'S LYNN YOUNG STARS: 1. Robert Lambert , 2. Lewis Rose, 3. Jake Knight, 4. Darren Mallett, 5. Lewis Kerr, 6. Shane Waldron, 7. Shane Hazelden, Team manager: Dale Allitt
KENT CTA FIRE KINGS: 1. Steve Boxall (C), 2. Connor Coles, 3. David Mason, 4. Benji Compton, 5. Benjamin Morley, 6. Adam Kirby, 7. Jack Kingston, Team manager: John Sampford
FOUR TEAM TOURNAMENT Stoke Speedway host the annual National League Four Team Tournament at Loomer Road on Sunday August 18th (3.30pm). Kent debut in the competition where holders Mildenhall will be trying to retain the title. All eight National League clubs will be represented in this event along with Coventry who like the Kings also make their debut.
After winning the National League Pairs at Mildenhall in June Dudley pair Ashley Morris and Lewis Blackbird will be looking for a major event double. Full line ups will be announced shortly.
GROUP A: King's Lynn Young Stars, Isle of Wight Islanders, Coventry Storm, Mildenhall Fen Tigers GROUP B: Stoke Potters, Dudley Heathens, Buxton Hitmen, Kent CTA Fire Kings
JUST A WEEK AWAY With the season approaching the sharp end very quickly the Stoke Potters return to Central Park in National League action on Monday 19th August. Following their National League Trophy 45-48 win at Central Park last month Lee Smart has since left the club with Steve Worrall replacing him in the number one position.
The Potters like ourselves have found the going tough this season, in fact they are firmly seated at the foot of the League table, since our last encounter they have had an abandoned meeting at home against Mildenhall and took a thumping from Dudley 38-50 who they ride against tonight at Monmore Green.
THE BRONZE HELMET MATCH RACE CHAMPIONSHIP Kings skipper Steve Boxall will again defend the title for a second time after a successful defence against Lewis Blackbird at the end of July at Dudley. The challenger is Heathens Ashley Morris with the race taking place prior to the National League meeting on Bank Holiday Monday 26th August. The meeting starts at 3.00pm with gates opening at 1.30pm.
BANK HOLIDAY DAY OUT WITH KENT CHROME AND CRUISERS AND THE HEATHENS! A date for the diary Bank Holiday Monday 26th August featuring Dudley Heathens hotly anticipated visit to Central Park at 3.00pm. As usual on bank holidays gates open at 1.30pm. Prior to this National League encounter, the Kent Chrome and Cruisers Show run by the Swale Petrol Heads Vehicle Enthusiasts Club takes place.
Live music from Gone Country, Johnny Cash Tribute is on stage at midday, back by request after going down a storm last year. Also on stage at 2.00pm are Brothers Grimm, Blues Brothers band, back with a vengeance after a ten year break and The Rockabilly Buskers are also playing.
There will be face painting, Mickey the kid's magician, Vintage Sweets Van, Bouncy Play area, Ice Cream Van, doughnut's, burgers etc. There will also be assorted stalls including army surplus, vintage clothing, DVD's, CD's, an auto jumble plus the hundreds of custom vehicles that attend every year. Swale Hospital Radio will be keeping the whole show together and helping to raise money for local charities. Entrance is £5.00 with kids under 16 free.
KENT CTA FIRE KINGS 54 COVENTRY CITY GEARBOXES STORM 39 (National League) Monday 12th August 2013
KENT CTA FIRE KINGS 54 1. Steve Boxall (C) 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, = 15 2. Connor Coles 1, 2', 3, 2', F, = 8+2 3. David Mason 2, 2, 1, 2, = 7 4. Benji Compton XM, R, 3, 3, = 6 5. Ben Morley 3, 3, 2, 1, = 9 6. Adam Kirby 3, 1', 0, 1', 2', = 7+3 7. Jack Kingston FX, 2', 0, 0, = 2+1 Team manager: John Sampford
COVENTRY CITY GEARBOXES STORM 39 1. Joe Jacobs 2, 3, 3, 6^, 2, 2, = 18 2. Luke Crang 0, 1, 2, 1, 0, = 4 3. Robert Branford (Rider Replacement) 4. Oliver Greenwood 0, 1', 0, 3, X, 1', = 5+2 5. James Sarjeant (C) 1, FX, 2, 2, 0, = 5 6. James Shanes 2, 1, 0, 1, = 4 7. Martin Knuckey 1', 0, 1', 1, = 3+2 8. Ryan Terry-Daley Team manager: Blayne Scroggins REFEREE: Dan Holt
GATE POSITIONS: Storm won the coin toss and took gates 1 and 3 in heat 1. Kings took gates 2 and 4 in heat 15.
